NAIDOC Week invites all Australians to acknowledge their history which dates back thousands of generations and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s theme is Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up.
The theme encourages everyone to champion institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative change while celebrating those who have already driven and led change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke said he was looking forward to celebrating with the local community.
“NAIDOC Week is celebrated nationally not only in indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life as the annual event provides us all with a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities in recognition and support of our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and culture,” he said.
This year celebrate NAIDOC Week, Federation Council will host a number of free initiatives.
Many Mob’s Indigenous leader Iris Troutman’s will be leading a fun and educational Coolamon decorating and Johnny Cake making at Corowa ArtSpace and Bangerang Park on Monday, July 4.
Pre-school and primary school age children are invited to attend an enchanting dreamtime story time at the Corowa library on Wednesday, July 6.
A puppet show, presented by Little Wings Puppets “The Owl’s Apprentice”, will feature a variety of Australian animals at the Oaklands CWA Hall on Friday, on Friday July 8. This will be followed by a puppet making workshop, learning the indigenous names of native Australian animals.
The National “Koori Kids” colouring in and story time competition will also be running with resources to be sent to all Federation schools and available in Federation Council’s libraries located in Mulwala, Corowa, Howlong, or Urana.
Finally, the community are invited to embark on the Many Mobs Connections short cultural walk, across the Yarrawonga/Mulwala Bridge.
Follow the footsteps along the path while reading and engaging in the dream time stories, history and visual aspects along the way. Culminating with cultural activities in Kennedy Park on Thursday, July 21.
For further information, including event times and dates, please refer to the Federation Council website www.federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au.